Thirty or so years ago, I went through the Prado and was blown away by a series of ornate wooden tables in a first floor gallery topped by incredible maritime scenes formed of stone inlay. Looked positively watercolorish and I've never been able to find any information about them. My memory suggest to me that they were late 17th - mid 18th century, but it's been a while. I'd really appreciate if someone could scratch this longstanding itch. Thanks!
2007-05-03 07:29:51 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
There are several of those tables (console-table tops,"pietre dure and cassoni" desks.) displayed in the Prado Museum, especially in the basement. It's part of the Royal Collection : "Las colecciones reales españolas de mosaicos y piedras duras". The technique is called "Pietre Dure", also called "Pietra Dura".
In 2003 a catalogue appeared about the collection. It's translated in Italian as : "PITTURA PER L`ETERNITA` : Le collezioni reali spagnole di mosaici e pietre dure", González-Palacios Alvar, Longanese, September 5, 2003
If you want more information, contact the "Opificio delle Pietre Dure", Fortezza da Basso, Viale F. Strozzi, 150100 Firenze, who restaures the Prado tables : http://www.opificio.arti.beniculturali.it/eng/index.htm
2007-05-03 09:12:26 · answer #1 · answered by Erik Van Thienen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Prado has a website and they also mention a way to contact them. Try it!
2007-05-03 15:39:16 · answer #2 · answered by John B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋